Identification apparatus



May 31, 1932. H. G. SMITH ET AL IDENTIFICATION APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2.. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l WMZ.

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IDENTIFICATION APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERBERT G. SMITH, or nocnnsrnn, NEW YORK, AND THEODORE BURRICK, or DETROIT,

monrqnn p IDENTIFICATION APPARATUS Application filed October 2, 1931; Serial No. 566,551.

This invention relates to apparatus designed primarily for use in establishing the identity of infants. It is intended for use in hospitals to insure against confusion and gpossible loss of identity of newly born infants.

One of the objects is to provide a simple and compact apparatus which can be manipulated readily for impressing on a single card at the time of the birth of a child, a foot print of the infant and a finger print of the mother, this operation being followed at the time of release from the hospital by further impressions on the same card of the same foot and finger for the purpose of verifying the identity.

Another object is to provide a device which can be handled by a single person.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which is simple, light and compact so that it can be carried readily from place to place.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been 5 shown:

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view showing the case opened.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section through the closed apparatus.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the palette.

Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal secon through a portion of the palette.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates a shallow box to which is connected a lid 2 having a pocket 3 therein for holding blank record cards C to be used in the apparatus. The lid can be secured in closedposition by suitable fasteners 4 and a handle 5 can be provided for facilitating handling.

Box 1 is divided by partitions 6 into a large or palette compartment 7 and smaller compartments 8, these latter compartments be ing provided for holding various accessories such as an ink roller R, a tube of ink T, etc. A brace 9 of suitable construction can be used for holding the lid in an upstanding position when the case formed by box 1 and lid 2 is open.

The main part of the invention is the palette which is removably mounted in compartment 7. This includes a thin, light board 10 of wood, or other suitablemateriah'provided with reinforcing side strips 11 on the bottom thereof. These strips are connected by an end strip 12 recessed at 13 to fit upon the forearm; by an intermediate strip 14; recessed at 15 to receive the wrist and hand of the user and a front strip 16 cut away at 17 to allow for easy insertion of a finger between the palette and the front ofthe box When it is desired to remove the palette. An obliquely disposed grip 18 is secured to the bottom of the board 10 where it can be grasped readily by the hand of the arm supporting the palette. I

The top of the palette has its rear portion stepped upwardly to form a raised base 19 on which is secured'a platen 20 formed of smooth glass or other suitable material. This platen extends beyond one edge of base 19 so as to overhang the adjacent portion of board 10.

Secured to board 10 and extending transversely thereof beneath the overhanging portion of the platen is a rabbeted cleat 21 and similar cleats 22 are secured to the side portions of board 10 and extend from the ends of cleat 21 to the front edge of the board. These cleats are so spaced and proportioned that one of the cards C can be slid onto the board to bring its side and back edges within the cleats where they will be lapped thereby. Light leaf springs 23 are secured in the back ends of the rabbeted side cleats 22 for gripping the adjacent corners of the card C when positioned on the palette.

In using this apparatus a small amount of ink is placed on the platen and is spread smoothly thereover by roller B so as to form a thin film. A. card C is placed in engagement with the cleats 21 and 22 where it is gripped by springs 28. The palette is then removed and supported on the forearm with recessed strips 12 and 14 resting on the arm while grip 18 is clasped in the hand. The recessed strips 12 and 14 serve to hold the palette against lateral displacement relative to the arm during the printing operation. Thereafter the user grasps one foot of the newborn infant with his other hand, presses it firmly upon the platen and then upon a space provided on card C thereby making an impression. An impression of a finger of the mother is also made on the same card.

At the time of release from the hospital the foregoing operations are repeated on the card previously used and by comparing the prints the identities of the child and mother can readily be verified.

A spring 24 can be arranged in the lid for gripping the cards C in pocket 3.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of .the class described, a palette including a board, a platen on one end portion of the board, a card holder on the other end portion of said board, arm engaging members on the bottom of the board, and a grip upon the said bottom.

- 2. In apparatus of the class described, a palette including a board, a platen on one end portion of the board, a card holder on the other end portion of said board, arm engaging strips on the bottom of the board re- 'cessed to receive the forearm of the user, and a grip upon the bottom of the board to be grasped by the user.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a palette including a board, means on one end portion of the board for guiding and lapping the side and one end portions of an inserted card, spring means for gripping portions of the inserted card, and a raised platen in the other end portion of the board.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our own, We have hereto affixed our signatures.

HERBERT G. SMITH. THEODORE BURRIGK. 

